As "thin-and-light" laptop releases grow fewer and farther between, Acer has decided to stay the course on slim while largely abandoning its ultra low-voltage CPU for the full-voltage Core i-series in a new line of laptops called the Timeline X. The Timeline X models have screens ranging in size from 13 inches to 15 inches, costs start at $599, use Core i3 or i5 processors, and they have a black brushed-aluminum look. On the 14- and 15-inch models, Acer includes internal optical drives; however, the 13-inch Timeline X won't have the drive.

The 11.6-inch-screened Acer Timeline 1830T will have one of Intel's new Core i3 or i5 ULV CPUs, in a chassis that shouldn't be much bigger than 11-inch Netbooks we've recently reviewed. Starting at $599, it should be worth a look. We imagine it's only the first of a number of compact yet powerful laptops we'll be seeing shrunk down into 11-inch-screen sizes for the holidays.